Collapsible tube.



J. B. DAVIS.

COLLAPSIBLE TUBE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 11, 1912.

1,122,868. 7 Patented Dec. 29, 19m

giwuemto'a mil/linemen I I A UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN B. DAVIS, 0F LANSDOWNE, PENNSYLVANIA, AS SIGNOR TO THE SIS. WHITE DENTAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF

CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A

COLLAPSIBLE TUBE.

Specification of Letters Patent. P t ted D 29, 1914.

Application filed December 11 1912, Serial No. 736,056. f P

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN B. DAVIS, a citizen of the United States, residing in Lansdowne, county of Delaware, State of 'Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Tubes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in collapsible tubes such as are employed for holding and dispensing liquids, viscous and plastic substances; for example, tooth paste, soap paste, etc.

The collapsible tube forming the subject of my invention is of a character well known in which the material is caused to be discharged fi'om the discharge opening by means of a pressureof compression exerted thereupon at a point removed from the discharge opening. It has been found in the ,useof these tubes for holding and dispensing substances of the character mentioned,

for example, tooth paste, that after the quantity of paste desired has been squeezed from a tube on to a tooth brush and the tube laid down, a quantity of the paste will escape from the discharge opening which not only results in waste of paste but causes the tube itself present an unattractive appearance. Moreover, the drying of the paste in some cases interferes with the replacing of the screw cap in position to close the discharge opening.

My invention has for its object to provide means to prevent the escape of material, such, for example, as tooth paste, from the discharge opening of the tube after the pressure of compression thereupon has been removed. To accomplish this end, I have provided means interiorly of the tubewhich, while permitting the material to be discharged when subjected to pressure, acts to cause a cessation of the discharge of the material from the tube immediately upon the cessation of such pressure. means employed by me for this purpose cons sts of a disk-like member of flexible and resilient material which extends transversely of the tube adj acent'to the discharge end thereof and which upon the cessation of pressure upon the tube to cause the discharge of the material therefrom operates to effect the result hereinbefore stated.

In order that my invention may be more around its discharge end to One form of' readily and fully comprehended,.r'eference may be had to the accompanying drawing in which convenient forms of embodiment are shown. However,it should be understooclthat changes in the details of construction may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from my invention.

In the drawings,-Figure 1 is -a view showing a tube partly in elevation and partly in longitudinal-section, Fig. 2 is a view, at right angles to that of Fig. 1, showing a tube partly broken away and with; i

the cap or closure removed and being also shown partly in longitudinal section and the disk being shown in position occupied,

when the material is being expelled from the tube by a pressure of compression; Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of the disk shown in Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 4 is a similar View of a diskof modified construction; and Fig. 5 isa similarview of a disk showing still another modified construction.

Referring to the drawings,v a tube one end of which is flattened, as'iIidicatedat 2, in a well known manner. The

tube consists of flexible material whereby the same is rendered collapsible under sure so that such pressure causes charge of the material therefrom. As a result of such pressure the tube is collapsed or flattened out.- At one end of the tube its walls are non-collapsible and are extended inwardly, as shown at 3, and terminate pres in a neck 4, which is closed by means of .an integralplate 5 which plate is provided with an elongated discharge opening 6. Such opening may be of any other shape desired.

adapted to be-closed by consisting of a cap 7 having internally screw threaded sides for engagement with the external screw threads ofthe neck 4. To insure a Water tight closure of the opening 6 a washer 8 is provided in the bottom of the closing cap 7. As thus far'described, the construction is such that, as already stated, the material would continue to escape after the cessation of pressure upon the collapsible tube. For the purpose of preventing such continued escape of the material or substance, such, for example, as tooth paste, indicated by the reference numeral 9, I, have provided the disk 10 of resilient ma- 1 designates the dis- 3 i The opening 6 is means of a closure terial situated interiorly of'the tube 1 with in the material 9. -The disk 10 is unsupported except by the material 9 within which the said disk may be described asfloating. The said disk 10 may consist of any material possessing the requisite quality of re- .silience and elasticity, but as a result of experiments thus far made, I prefer touse celluloid. For the purpose of enabling the 10 material to pass beyond the disk 10 toward and through the discharge opening 6, I have provided a curved. slit 11 in the said disk thereby fqrming a tongue-like part -12, which in efi'ect is a clack valve, for closing 15 the space within the slit 11. Theedges of the disk, 10 are situated at the point of juncture between the upright walls of the tube 1 and the inclinedportion '3 thereof. I The edge. of the disk is prevented from fiorward movement-by reason of its contact with the inclined part 3 of the tube so when ressure is exerted upon the end of the tub the material 9, therein, the resilient disk re- 7 turns to and assumes its normal position,

85 indicated in Fig. 1. In doing so it tends to create a vacuum in the space between the said disk and the dischargeope'ning 6 and thereby causes a retraction of the material 39 away from the said discharge opening so 140 that the escape'of the same therethrough dis- 'eontinues or ceases immediately upon the jcessationof ressure.

Instea d 0 providing the'disk 10 with a *sllt'of the curvature shown in Fi s. 1 and I 453,1 may provide the same with a s itof different shape .or form. Inthe modified construction illustrated in Fig. 4, I have shown a dlSk 1O 'proyided with a' straightslit 14 instead at a curved slit such as is shown in 0 Figs. 1, 2 and 3. If a disk having a straight slit 14, such as shown in Fig. 4, be placed in proper position in a tube, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, and pressure-applied as before described, it will be bent or flexed and such slit will open sufficiently to permit the ma terial 9 in such tube to pass'therethrough. Upon release of pressure from the tube and the contained material the said disk will returnto normal osition,the opening through 50 the said slit simultaneously closing. The

return of the disk to normal position will efl'ect a suction tending I in the tube between t e said disk and the discharge openin 6 and thereby cause the material to rece e from toward the said that e opposite the discharge opening .6' I therein the material 9 in the tube, belng assa e outby the and extending the edge of to create a vacuumopenin and thus prevent. the further escape 0 after the pressure upon the tube shall have been discontinued.

In Fig. 5 I have shown a disk 10 having the material from the said opening a plurality of curved slits 15 therein. These slits while curved have their opposing ends positioned farther away from each other than is the case with the slit 11, but the resilience of the material is such that there is a bendingof the tongues 16 formed by the said slits, in addition to the bending or flexa-whole, whereby the through the said of the ing of the disk 10 as passage of the material, 9 slits 15-is facilitated. The operation disk having a plurality of slits as is shown in. Fig. '5 issubstantially the same as that p of the'operation' of the disks having the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 3 and Fig. 4 and need not be repeated. I y

In the several forms of construction the passage-ways through the disks are such as to offer more or less resistance to thepassage of the material 9 therethrough and thereby insure the flexing of such disks as described;

' also inthe several forms the openings in the disks formed by the slits close simultaneously with thereturn of said disksto nor mal position.-

I claim 1. A collapsible tube sc'ribdhaving a discharge from which the substance in charged when subjected compression, and the said tube being provided with a resilient disk having means for permitting the passage of the substance therethrough situatedtherein within the region adjacent to the said discharge opening transversely ofthe tube and of the character deopening therein the tube is disto a pressure of the said tube having a portion with which the said disk contacts to limit the movement of the said edge in one direction and the said disk flexing and unflexing as a result of pressure and release of pressure upon the said tube and the substance contained therein whereby the central body portion thereof moves toward and from the said discharge opening, the movement of the said disk away from the said discharge opening upon the release of pressure operating to prevent a further discharge of-substance from the tube upon thecessation of such pressure.

2. he combination of acollapsible tube for containing substances of the character described, said tube having a discharge opening, and a disk situated in the said tube within the region thereof adjacent to the said discharge opening, the said disk being disconnected from thewalls of said tube and having a vibratory movement toward and from the said discharge opening upon the application of pressure .to and the release of the same from the said tube and the maaeee plied to the saidtube and the substance therein, the said disk'having .at such time a flexing movement toward such opening and the said disk being provided withv means to permit the passage of the substance in the tube beyond the said-disk to the discharge opening when the said tube and the substance therein are squeezed, and the said disk having a flexing movement away from the said discharge openingfor 'the purpose statedupon the release of such I squeezing pressure.

4. The combination with a collapsible tube for holding a mobile substance, said tube having a discharge opening, of a resilient disk situated in said tube transversely thereof within the region adjacent to said discharge opening, the saidtube having means for engagement with the edge of said disk to limitmovement thereof in one direction and the said disk having means to permit the passage of such substance to the discharge opening upon the application of a pressure of compression to the tube, and the force of such pressure being transmitted through said substance to said disk causing a.flexing of the same I toward the said discharge opening and the return of said disk to unflexed position upon the cessation of such pressure operatingto prevent a further discharge of substance from said tube.

5. 'A collapsible tube for holding a mobile substance having an opening for the discharge of said substance and being provided "with a disk situated within and extending transversely of said'tube in cooperative relation with respect to said openingand beingunsupportedexcept by said mobile substance, and the said disk having a normally closed opening therein.

6. A collapsible tube for holding a mobile; substance having an opening for the dis charge of said substance and I e with an elastic 'disk 'situated within and-extending transversely of saidtube in cooper ative relation. with respect-to said opening ing provided and beingunsupported except by said mo,-

bile substance, and the said tube: having ;means to limit movement of the said disk in one direction, the said tube permitting direction,

closed by a tongue,

free movement of the disk in the opposite and the said disk having a normally closed opening therein.

7, A collapsible tube having a discharge opening and also'having an elastic disk positioned interiorly thereof, the said tube having means cooperating with the edge only of said disk to maintain it in spaced relation with'respect to the said discharge opening, and the said disk having a valve controlled opening therein.

8. A collapsible tube 'having a' discharge opening and also having an elastic disk positioned interiorly and transversely of said tube .and the said tube having a part which cooperates with the peripheral edge portion of said disk to maintain it in spaced relation with respect to said opening, said disk being cut to form an opening normally closed by 'a tongue.

9: A collapsible tube having a discharge opening and also having an elastic disk positioned interiorly and transversely of, said tube, and the said tube having means cooperating with the peripheral edge portion of said disk tomaintain it in spaced relation with respect to said opening, said'disk being .cut to form an opening normally said tongue comprising an integral part of the said disk.

10. A collapsible tube for holding a mo bile substance having a discharge opening and also being provided with a floating disk situated interiorly thereof, the said 'disk being positioned in operative relation with respect to said discharge opening, and being provided with a valve controlled opening.

11. A collapsible tube having a discharge opening and also having a disk positioned interiorly and transversely of the said tube and the said tube having a part which cooperates with the edge portion of. said disk to maintain it in spaced relation with respect to said opening, said disk being cut to form an opening therein.

12; The combination with a collapsible container having an orifice, of a resilient retractor located Within the tube near the dis charge endfthereofa K 13. In combination, a collapsible '"tube #formed with an outlet opening, and a reof said material and when pressure is re--' moved the-said retractor will assume its nor-" mal position and draw the excess material extended beyond the opening back into the tube.

ioa

14, In combination, a collapsible tube having areduced end' formed with an out- .let opening, the tube being-closed at its opposite end, a" resilient plate disposed in t e tracted portion formed with an outlet openmaterial the disk will flex and when prestube and abutting against the reduced end portion, the resilient plate having an opening whereby when the pressure is applied to the closed part ofsthe tube to eject the material the plate will flex and when presing, a resilient disk having an opening and located in proximity .to the contracted portion, whereby when pressure is-applied to the collapsible portion to eject the plastic sure is removed the disk will assume its normal position and retract the surplus ma-.

terial from beyond the opening back into the tube.

-1'6. In combination, a collapsible tube open at one end and closed at its opposite end, andmeans including-a resilient plate located in the tube for-retracting surplus material, said late. flexing when pressure is applied on t 0 tube to collapse same to. force material through the opening, and

for plastic said plateforeatin'g a vacuum when pressure on the tube is removed and thereby drawing the surplus material from outside the tube into the opening.

17. A paste-containingtube having a resilient member, supported in its discharge end to flex toward the outlet under the pres-. sure of the aste in the-act of expelling the same from t e tube and toreturn by its own tension when the expelling force ceases, thereby causing a recession of the paste from said outlet. s

18. In combination with a compressible paste-containing tube having an outlet, a disk supportedin the tube near the outlet and having a resilient 'ortion flexible toward the outlet under t e pressure of the paste while the latter is being expelled by the compression of the tube, said resilient portion returning under its own tension when the expelling force ceases to cause a;

recession of the paste from the outlet.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have hereto signed my.

December, A. D.'19l2. JOHN B. DAVIS.

In the presence of- WM. J. RUssELL,

HARRY R. BARBER.

name this 10th day of 

